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This
mission seeks to achieve the full potential of space for all human endeavor
through safe, affordable and reliable space transportation, and
revolutionize the way in which space vehicles are designed, built, and
operated. SOMTC is involved in these ways:
Solar
Thermal Propulsion
The SOMTC is supporting the MSFC Propulsion Research
Center in the design and fabrication of a secondary solar concentrator
to attach
to
a thermal
engine test model representing a satellite upper stage. The secondary
will further reduce the solar spot size produced by the Segmented
Hexagon Array Solar Mirror (SHASM) concentrator that powers the test
engine. The SHASM optics were also designed and developed by SOMTC.
Facilities involved :
- Optical Design/Analysis
- Optical Fabrication Facility
Laser Light Craft
The
futuristic idea of a small laser-propelled spacecraft like the model shown
here is being studied at Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC).
The
laser on the ground fires up under the specially shaped craft. The focused
infrared laser beam is absorbed by the air inside the engine, creating
a laser supported detonation. The high pressure, high temerature plasma
created by the laser absorption cools and expands out the rear of the
vehicle producing the thrust which propels the lightcraft into the sky.
MSFC
is fabricating lightcraft bodies, developing beam directors, and investigating
improved vehicle and laser concepts. The optical surfaces of the craft
model are cut on the diamond turning machine.